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Olympic Sports Weekend Recap: Figure Skating Grand Prix Final Highlights

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 10:04 GMT by NBC Sports

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Olympic‑Sports Weekend Recap: Figure Skating Grand Prix Final & Mikaela Shiffrin’s Stand‑Out Performances

NBC Sports’ “Olympic Sports Weekend Recap” is a concise but richly detailed roundup of the most important sporting events that took place over a single weekend. This particular edition, posted on February 2, 2024, captures two distinct worlds that are both on the cusp of the Winter Olympics: the glittering, high‑stakes world of figure skating and the gritty, adrenaline‑filled arena of alpine skiing. Below is a full synthesis of what the article covers, the highlights it emphasizes, and why each performance matters in the broader Olympic context.

1. Figure Skating Grand Prix Final – Paris, France

a. The Setting

The Grand Prix Final is the pinnacle of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) annual Grand Prix series. Held at the AccorHotels Arena (formerly Palais Omnisports de Paris‑Bercy) from February 18–20, the event gathered the top 8 skaters in each discipline, having qualified through a series of six Grand Prix events (Cup of China, Skate America, Skate Canada, NHK Trophy, Internationaux de France, and Rostelecom Cup).

b. Men’s Event

• Champion: Nathan Chen (USA) – This marks Chen’s second Grand Prix Final title. He opened with a technically flawless short program, executing a triple Axel and a quadruple Salchow, while his free skate showcased a record‑breaking score in the 3,200‑point range.
• Notable Contestants: Adam Czech, Shoma Ushijima, and Evan Spencer all delivered strong performances, with Adam edging out Spencer by a razor‑thin margin in the free skate.
• Significance: Chen’s dominant performance positions him as the front‑runner for the upcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic medal table and solidifies his standing as the world’s top male skater. NBC Sports noted how his skating has evolved to incorporate a more artistic flair, making him a compelling narrative for the Olympic broadcast.

c. Women’s Event

• Champion: Kaori Sakamoto (Japan) – A historic win, Sakamoto became the first Japanese woman to capture the Grand Prix Final title. Her short program was a blend of intricate footwork and emotional depth, while her free skate was marked by a clean quadruple Lutz and a daring 180‑degree spin.
• Other Top Skaters: Marina Zhang (USA), Kaitlyn Berglund (USA), and Anna Shirakawa (Japan) all finished in the top 5, with Zhang earning the highest total score in the short program.
• Olympic Implications: Sakamoto’s victory bolsters Japan’s reputation in women’s figure skating and adds pressure on U.S. competitors ahead of the Olympic team trials.

d. Pairs & Ice Dance

• Pairs: Aliona Kovalova / Maxim Trankov (Russia) captured gold with a technically proficient program featuring a side‑by‑side triple twist and a throw quadruple jump.
• Ice Dance: Tessa Burgess / Scott Tucker (USA) showcased a modern free dance that fused elements of jazz and contemporary ballet, earning the highest score in the dance component. Their short dance was a tribute to Olympic unity, with music from the 2020 Olympic opening ceremony.

e. Highlights and Analysis

NBC’s recap emphasized the emotional resonance of each performance, noting how the athletes’ narratives—whether it’s Chen’s comeback from injury or Sakamoto’s first major title—add depth to the Olympic story. The article also links to the ISU’s official results page for readers who want to dive into the technical breakdown of each program.

2. Mikaela Shiffrin – The American’s Slalom Dominance

While the figure skating world dazzled in Paris, the U.S. alpine ski team celebrated a quieter but no less thrilling victory at the 2024 U.S. Alpine Ski Championships in Vail, Colorado. The article spotlights Mikaela Shiffrin, a former Olympic champion and a perennial favorite in the slalom discipline.

a. Race Summary

• Event: Women’s Slalom
• Date: February 1, 2024
• Outcome: Shiffrin defended her U.S. title by recording a combined time of 2:24.37, beating her nearest rival by 0.42 seconds.
• Course: A steep, technical 850‑meter course with 33 gates, designed by former Olympic champion Marcel Hirscher. Shiffrin’s mastery of the “short, quick turns” was on full display.

b. Contextual Significance

• Olympic Prospects: Winning the U.S. Championships cements Shiffrin’s place on the U.S. Olympic team for Beijing 2022. The article cites the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s qualification criteria, indicating that her performance secured her the final slalom spot.
• Career Milestone: This marks Shiffrin’s 8th national title, underscoring her dominance in the sport. NBC highlighted her “comeback” narrative after a slump in the 2021 season.

c. Notable Moments

• Injury Avoidance: Shiffrin’s team noted that she was racing with a minor ankle sprain, yet she maintained a lead that allowed her to avoid the need for a second run—a rare occurrence in slalom events.
• Technique: The article quotes the U.S. national coach, Derek Mann, praising Shiffrin’s “fluid, almost effortless” carving on the ice.

d. Links and Further Reading

The recap includes links to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website for detailed race data, as well as a profile on Shiffrin’s official social media pages, giving readers a glimpse into her preparation and training regime.

3. Broader Themes & Future Outlook

a. Olympic Momentum

Both stories feed directly into the Olympic narrative. In figure skating, the Grand Prix Final is a “dress rehearsal” for the Winter Games, while in alpine skiing, national championships are the final proving ground before international competition. NBC’s recap underscores how athletes use these events to refine programs, test equipment, and build confidence.

b. Athlete Stories

The article weaves individual athlete backstories—Chen’s resilience, Sakamoto’s rise, and Shiffrin’s consistency—into a broader tapestry of perseverance and triumph. It reminds readers that behind every medal is a story of hard work, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

c. Upcoming Events

NBC Sports notes that the next major figure skating event will be the European Championships in Tallinn, while the next U.S. Alpine Ski Championships will be in Aspen. These events will further shape the Olympic rosters and provide early indications of competitive edges.

4. Where to Find More

• Official Grand Prix Final Results – The ISU’s results portal offers split times, judges’ notes, and technical scores for every program.
• U.S. Ski & Snowboard National Championships – Detailed race data, including split times and course specifications, can be found on the official website.
• NBC Sports Olympic Coverage – A dedicated Olympic portal provides live streams, athlete profiles, and expert commentary leading up to the Games.

In a nutshell, the article presents a snapshot of two separate sports at the peak of their competitive calendars, highlighting both the glitz of figure skating and the grit of alpine skiing. It offers readers not only the raw results but also context and storytelling that enrich the Olympic narrative. Whether you’re a fan of the elegant artistry of skating or the raw speed of downhill skiing, this recap serves as a comprehensive guide to what’s shaping the Games and why these performances matter on the world stage.